This month marked the 30-year anniversary of Senna’s deadly accident at Imola on 1 Might 1994, which got here the day after Austrian Ratzenberger misplaced his life in a crash.
The demise of Ratzenberger, which itself adopted a severe observe accident for Senna’s compatriot Rubens Barrichello, shook the Williams driver to the core on the time.
Within the wreckage of Senna’s crashed automobile, marshals discovered an unfurled Austrian flag that he meant to wave on the cool-down lap as a tribute to the Simtek driver.
With the blessing of the Senna household, four-time world champion Vettel organised an elaborate tribute to each Senna and Ratzenberger, which included a demo run within the Brazilian’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8, which Vettel owns.
Waving each the Brazilian and Austrian flags throughout the run, Vettel stated it was a option to “end the job” that Senna had in thoughts.
“Clearly, the Brazilian flag was clear, as a result of it was one thing that he used to do after the races,” Vettel defined.
“However I do know the identical story [about the Austrian flag Senna had prepared]. I used to be desirous about it, whether or not it is the suitable factor to attempt to end the job.
“I do not suppose it’s going to ever be completed, it is not about ending, however attempting to simply make folks keep in mind.
“It felt very particular once I bought the flag out and really particular once I bought each of them out. It was a really particular and really significant weekend for me.”
Sebastian Vettel drives Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Vettel, who retired from F1 on the finish of 2022 after a 15-year stint with BMW, Toro Rosso, Crimson Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, stated his tribute run provoked “one of many strongest feelings” ever in his profession.
Requested if the demo, which was greeted enthusiastically by the Italian tifosi, left him teary-eyed, Vettel replied: “Yeah, undoubtedly.
“It is troublesome to place in phrases, I believe it was one of many strongest feelings I felt behind the wheel regardless of being alone on monitor and never even racing.
“Unimaginable. Once I bought the flags out, the folks… it was so highly effective.
“I am completely satisfied that I had the braveness to deal with my thought and invite the Senna household. And I solely bought constructive suggestions.
“The compassion he had, the braveness he needed to converse his thoughts. Pushing schooling, attempting to combat poverty in his nation.
“In some ways, he was forward of the sport as an individual of that point, but in addition as a racing driver particularly.
“And due to this fact it is an important and highly effective story to share, particularly with younger drivers arising.”